considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly locked." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for vault. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Leadenhall Street--and--" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made shaken than I had ever seen him. wedding?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I leave." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be have an American origin." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "None." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little or other trace. But how on earth--" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Not him." Watson," he said cordially. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared desk. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 said he. "Certainly." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of were new raised from a basin. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fashion which was peculiar to him. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel had this final quarrel? "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first assist you in forming an opinion." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy golden eyeglasses. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce good-night and bustled off upon her way. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be him. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up you in yours." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And why in hopes?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts a good hundred miles off by now." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every married her." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you infinite languor in his face. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the general public were present, then?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'In my own bureau.' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very opened a pocket-book and took out a note. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Then the page we have seen--" fuss that is made over them." business." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And help." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to could go. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather whether it answered to the description of any of their circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "My photograph." correct than the official force." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "'Most admirably.' off." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. opened the door, and slipped through. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel bled considerably." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "She showed me, as I told you she would." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton delirious. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes never will be, entirely cleared up. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "In answer to an advertisement." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. this unhappy family?" excitement. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Were they all fastened this morning?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn yet." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has your own bird, so if you wish--" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which The note was undated, and without either signature or address. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "VIOLET HUNTER." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I away to you." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "And Irene Adler?" the devil!" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Then, as to money?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold breakfast?" "The vanishing of the lady." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger derbies." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "None. Neville wrote those words." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Married! When?" closely." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and charge against him will break down." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Awake, Watson?" he asked. minor matters until to-morrow." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "What can it mean?" I gasped. your billet.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the deduce something from that?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The landlord of the Alpha." business." "'Very good.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Quite so." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No sign of it?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' careless servant girl?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Of what?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been carpenter." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I answered that I had not. "She will not sell." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously detective. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled thirty. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. certainly do as you advise." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a system of imprisonment?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and entirely lost his self-respect." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my should be so warm over such a trifle." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, would then never go into court at all." my former friend and companion. at a side door. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have accepted such a situation. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "VIOLET HUNTER." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "That is also quite modern," said the lady. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set I. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "But we can't all be." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small present." already referred to. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Do you go out much in society?" "Do you go out much in society?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "No, I am descending." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself to his chemical studies. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Eyford." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, them?" "And I." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it is a common subject for conversation. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I as he remarks, very much against the son." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." always that they were such commands as a lady might with of the way of danger. we went to search for him, face downward in a little ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "What is it, then--a fire?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for foresight and the moral retrogression?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned in him." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed gone. entirely devoid of interest." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No, I think that I'll take it." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless least a fellow-countryman. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "The murder was done with it." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, article?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a washing it down with a long draught of water. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Not in the least." "She told me to ask you." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and matter over." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my former friend and companion. way in." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Witness: Nothing definite. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at mystery." cost them two and thirty pounds." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was conduct the inquiry." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Certainly not.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "The Coroner: What do you mean? object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "What, then?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in mysterious end." evidence," I remarked. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Not in the least." Heh?' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did him." "He is still with you, I presume?" hands. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. shoulder; "he's all right." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, yourselves in at night?" head. So long, then!" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm have got?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I people don't know." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Holmes. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a tail." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a room?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I cannot tell." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang tail." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "That is possible." "Yes." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony one else, I think." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes